Beginners Tips: Feb 2011

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02-11-2011, 04:13 PM
gssixgun

6 Attachment(s)

Beginners Tips: Feb 2011

Were going to have a bit of fun this month...

One of the biggest questions I see in my PM box as a restorer, and on the forum is this..

I found this razor on/in/at *** can it be restored????

First we always recommend that either you wait about 6 months before shopping on e-bay or until you don't have to ask that question :D

But for those that jump straight into the deep end here are some tips... :)

I was actually shopping e-bay this past weekend for a razor specifically for a beginner... One of the guys here at work has decided to take the full plunge after I let him try it 2 weeks ago...

First thing I look for is a good name razor of Quality steel I found a Kinfolks for him (A Case family blade)

Here is the actual e-bay pic, the only one..

Attachment 57028

Here is what I looked at

Attachment 57029

I snagged the razor for $9.99 add shipping, and he is in it $15.95

Some points:
See the rust??? see the red in the rust??? that tells me that it is active and most likely not too deep.. The black spots that some people refer to as "Patina" is normally "Devils Spit" and runs deep into the steel..

The general rule for me is
Shine = Woooohooooo Baby!!!!
Grey = Good
Red = Work
Black = Oh Crap a ton of work !!!

Look at the edge and spine I won't buy anything that is showing more than 1mm of wear I look for even wear if it is there at all...
Note the toe/point is it worn??? uneven???
Note the heel to edge relationship is it even??? is there a hook honed into it
Note the pivot, rust??? cracks??? pins???

Here is the same razor broken down on my bench

Attachment 57030

Attachment 57031

It needs a bit of cleaning and polishing, now I did this on my buffers -BUT- this razor could have been done by hand with wet-r-dry sandpaper in 1-2 hours of work and would look as good..

The scales were cleaned up with 400 grit sandpaper then re-polished with Blue Magic by hand.. The washers were cleaned on the 400 grit too so was the wedge..

And here are the cleaned up parts...

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I will post the finished pics after work tonight, just a bit more hand polishing on the blade, on the wedge, and perhaps a touch of blue paint in the lettering still.. then re-pin and hone...

Hope this helps a bit when looking for used razors....

As always please feel free to add any tips or hints that might help the newer guys, especially you senior members and restorers
02-11-2011, 04:29 PM
coldcut

I would love to get into restoring razors!!... My O.C.D. would love me for it!!
02-11-2011, 05:48 PM
darklife

gssixgun, can you tell me, what are you using for polishing blade? Only wet-r-dry sandpaper, or finishing with some polishing paste?
02-11-2011, 06:37 PM
gssixgun

Quote:

Originally Posted by darklife

gssixgun, can you tell me, what are you using for polishing blade? Only wet-r-dry sandpaper, or finishing with some polishing paste?

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...lustrated.html

that thread should explain the process I use, but this blade has not gone that whole route, it doesn't need all that... :beer1:
02-11-2011, 06:42 PM
commiecat

Nice work G-man. I love me some Kinfolks -- the Blue Steel Special is one of my favorite shavers currently.
02-11-2011, 06:55 PM
gugi

Quote:

Originally Posted by gssixgun

As always please feel free to add any tips or hints that might help the newer guys, especially you senior members and restorers

I've got a good one I picked up from Lynn - send all your old and badly worn wedges to glen :)

nice job glenjaman!
02-11-2011, 07:08 PM
ofelas

LOL. This post was made for me.
02-11-2011, 07:26 PM
pinklather

Fabulous, Glen

One more in a long line of priceless 'how to's. Thank You so much for generously sharing.
02-11-2011, 07:38 PM
leadduck

Thanks to Glen for a great post with some very helpful information. The only thing I would add is regarding the color of the blade. I've noticed that many eBay don't know how to photograph blades and what often looks like a black razor is really a fairly bright blade in bad lighting. If you're looking at a razor that otherwise looks OK, I'd recommend contacting the seller for more information.
02-11-2011, 09:01 PM
cessnabird

Great post! That razor cleaned up well, nicely done!
02-12-2011, 02:32 AM
ats200

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadduck

Thanks to Glen for a great post with some very helpful information. The only thing I would add is regarding the color of the blade. I've noticed that many eBay don't know how to photograph blades and what often looks like a black razor is really a fairly bright blade in bad lighting.

This may have partially been the case even in regards to this specific razor. Look at the difference in color in the scales from Glen's pics to the Ebayer's pics
02-12-2011, 03:20 AM
gssixgun

4 Attachment(s)

NOS- Mint- Like New !!!!

And this my friends is the other side, of this Beginners lesson on E-bay purchases...Don't be afraid to ask what you are buying... An honest seller discloses that the razor has been restored, and is no longer factory fresh...
But has been cleaned, polished, and is now what I call a "Vintage Restore"...
Yes even the lettering can sometimes be brought back...

So this serves both purposes it allows you to see what to look for when buying not so pretty stuff and gives an idea of what you can do with restorations... Plus it shows what you might be paying for when buying what you might think is NIB/Mint/NOS :)

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02-12-2011, 04:48 AM
gssixgun

3 Attachment(s)

And just for some real fun !!!

This is a true NOS Kinfolks - Blue Steel Special that is one of my personal razors, pics taken in the same setup as above

Kinda of tuff to spot the differences Huh???? :D

Attachment 57061

Attachment 57062

Attachment 57063
02-12-2011, 05:07 AM
HNSB

Your restore looks better than the NOS unit.
I would swap them out if I were you. ;)
02-12-2011, 05:32 AM
natchez

Nice little tutorial. When I started, I made the mistake of buying one with a frown and had a heck of a time honing it up.
02-12-2011, 08:25 AM
onimaru55

Dude ! Looks like the same razor with different white point settings....
Except the resto has a 'Made in USA" stamp on the tail :)
02-12-2011, 03:17 PM
ats200

Quote:

Originally Posted by HNSB

Your restore looks better than the NOS unit.
I would swap them out if I were you. ;)

LOL exactly what I was thinking. Razor manufacturers should send their products to Glen for finishing
02-12-2011, 05:50 PM
Shoki

Quote:

Originally Posted by HNSB

Your restore looks better than the NOS unit.
I would swap them out if I were you. ;)

Yeah did you mix the photos? The restore looks great!

--Shoki
03-30-2013, 11:17 AM
Chreees

Sorry to bump this, but... Glen, I want to say thank you for this thread. It is amazing and should be viewed by everyone!
05-17-2015, 02:59 PM
NewellVW

Awesome beginner buyer tips! Lots of tough to restore razors out there! I know, I've bought a few! :(
05-17-2015, 03:36 PM
Firefighter2

Excellent thread, thanks for all the info. It's good that these beginners have a place that they can look up credible information. Nobody likes getting ripped off. ;)